A whale of a reason to visit SeaWorld San Diego

Actually, there’s a whole list of reasons to visit this adventure park all year round. Where else can you get nose-to-nose with a polar bear, eye-to-eye with a dolphin and tete-a-tete with your favorite pet? Where else can you meet the world-famous killer whale, Shamu?

SeaWorld offers an alternative to the hustle and bustle of traditional amusement parks by featuring lush, landscaped gardens, beautiful marine animal attractions and spectacular shows, all spread out over 189 acres on San Diego’s Mission Bay Park.

Everyone knows that SeaWorld features thousands of fascinating mammals, fishes, reptiles and birds including manatees at Manatee Rescue; killer whales at Shamu Stadium; hundreds of penguins in the chilly Penguin Encounter; and polar bears, beluga whales and walruses at Wild Arctic. But what you may not know about is that there’s a reason every season to visit the adventure park. Here’s a look at the season-by-season lineup for 2006:

Spring: SeaWorld stays open late so guests have more time to enjoy all their park favorites during Spring into Night, April 8- 23 and 29, and May 6, 13 and 20. Spring into Night features extended hours; fireworks; “Sea Lions Tonite,” a nighttime sea lion and otter show; and “Ignight,” a new nighttime dolphin show with hot special effects and cool music.

Late spring: “Believe,” the most ambitious killer whale show in SeaWorld history, blends new killer whale behaviors with elaborate set pieces, music, choreography and state-of-the-art multimedia. A new two-story stage reflecting against Shamu; a spectacular water fountain that sprays across the width of the show pool; three new underwater cameras capturing Shamu below the surface; a giant three-story whale tail high above the set; and four LED screens moving and rotating all highlight the power and beauty of SeaWorld’s killer whales. “Believe” is scheduled to open late spring.

Fall:Sea to Shining Sea Music Festival is SeaWorld’s all- American entertainment extravaganza, returning for a fifth season this fall, Sept. 16- 17, Sept. 23- 24 and Sept. 30- Oct. 1. Included with park admission, the event features several stages throughout the park with live music including rock, country, swing, bluegrass and contemporary/eclectic rhythms. The park, decorated in red, white and blue, also will have an array of classic cars, and “SkyBlast,” Saturday night fireworks displays during the festival.

Winter: SeaWorld will celebrate the holiday season with festive decorations, the Skytower tree lighting, carolers, special Shamu holiday shows and other holiday activities, Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 26- 31. Evenings will be topped off with a spectacular fireworks display just for the holidays.

SeaWorld has a great program for seniors called Terrific Tuesdays which combines healthy activities for the mind and body with a nutritious breakfast. Each Tuesday, guests 50 and older who purchase regularly priced adult admission enjoy a free breakfast during the first half hour the park is open on that Tuesday. Breakfast options include a sausage and egg on roll with fruit and hash browns; or fruit, yogurt and muffin. Either breakfast includes choice of coffee or juice.

Terrific Tuesdays guests can take advantage of special maps that guide them on a one-mile loop of the park, with 1/4- mile markers along the way pointing out landscaping tips and other interesting SeaWorld facts.

Offering Terrific Tuesdays is SeaWorld’s way of giving something special to those 50 and above,” said Ed Litrenta, vice president of marketing for SeaWorld San Diego. “And it’s a great way to stay in shape and enjoy all the animal shows, attractions and rides that SeaWorld has to offer at the same time.”

Terrific Tuesday symposiums on topics such as aviculture, photography, health and SeaWorld animals are held every other week. New in 2006 are meet-and-greet activities- held on alternate Tuesdays- in which participants spend time getting to know each other by sharing their adventures, hobbies, special talents and careers. Guests may even be surprised by an animal visit!

Guests taking advantage of this program should arrive at the park during the first half hour the park is open. The meeting place is at Garden Plaza West, which is part of the Anheuser-Busch Hospitality Center. Symposiums and meet-and-greets last approximately 30 minutes. For more information about Terrific Tuesdays or for a complete list of symposium topics, visit www.seniors4adventure.com

Some ongoing attractions at SeaWorld San Diego include Journey To Atlantis, a water coaster with a 60-foot plunge, amazing special effects and 3Gs of exhilaration; R.L. Stine’s Haunted Lighthouse, a 4-D movie based on the original story written by world-famous “Goosebumps” author R.L. Stine; Shipwreck Rapids, a wet and wild river raft ride; Pets Rule!-a zany show where clever canines, curious cats, beautiful birds and unpredictable pigs take charge and show humans who’s the boss.

Dining opportunities abound at SeaWorld, with chances to dine among some of our most beloved marine animal pals. At Shipwreck Reef Caf鬠the menu includes grilled salmon, barbecued ribs, salads and other culinary treats. Guests can choose from several themed areas, each featuring lush, tropical gardens and trees, special lighting and interactive d飯r and a close-up view of beautiful animals, including exotic birds, tropical fish and sea turtles.

Another great culinary delight at SeaWorld is “Dine with Shamu,” which re-launched in February 2006 at the newly renovated pool, Shamu: Close Up. The new “Dine with Shamu” features an enhanced menu, more dining opportunities, and increased viewing of the killer whales, all in a unique backstage environment. SeaWorld is open year-round, including holidays.

SeaWorld Adventure Parks are in San Diego, Orlando, Fla. and San Antonio. In addition to the SeaWorld Adventure Parks, St. Louis-based Busch Entertainment Corporation operates Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, Fla. and Williamsburg, Va.; Adventure Island in Tampa Bay; Water Country USA in Williamsburg; Sesame Place near Philadelphia; and Discovery Cove in Orlando. The nine parks entertain more than 20 million guests a year and employ more than 15,000 people.

Leaders in conservation and education, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove care for the largest animal collection in the world and offer an education Web site especially for students and teachers at www.seaworld.org Information on how to contribute to the SeaWorld-Busch Gardens Conservation Fund is at www.swbg-conservationfund.org General park information is found a www.seaworld.com
Admission is $53 for ages 10 and older, and $43 for ages 3-9. Parking is $10 for autos, and $15 for RVs. Park hours vary by season. For more information, visit www.seaworld.com, 800-257-4268.

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Courtesy of leisuregrouptravel